At SAE International's Government Industry Meetings in Washington, D.C., the American Le Mans Series President and CEO, Scott Atherton, recently encouraged auto manufacturers...
"...to compete in the great race of the 21st century. A race to new technology that will result in better cars, with unprecedented efficiency, by utilizing renewable bio fuels, generating fewer and cleaner emissions."
Atherton had been invited to Washington, D.C. by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) to participate in a press conference at the Washington Auto Show. His remarks focused on the unique relationship, formed just a year before, between Washington (D.C.) and the American Le Mans Series. These government agencies declared it the only racing series to meet SAE green racing protocols.
"Over the last 10 years, the relevance of auto racing has come full circle," declared Atherton. "ALMS has been providing a platform of world-class racing for manufacturers to showcase technology that is cutting edge, relevant and has a direct link back to the production line. We now stand together, with these government agencies and SAE International, to work toward educating consumers that being green doesn't mean being boring. Our collective goal is to get to the technology of tomorrow, faster."
"Going forward, we will continue to focus on the three alternative fuels (clean diesel, E10, cellulosic E85) with the possible addition of a fourth - if it becomes commercially viable and relevant as a consumer option," he revealed.
He added that the ALMS expects to add, at least, one gas-electric hybrid, competing in the prototype category. This would represent a next-generation hybrid using the very latest in lithium-ion battery technology from Zytek, the UK-based leader in hybrid technology and supplier for major OEM applications.
